Pope Francis to Attend Upcoming Year of Faith Events

Over 70,000 Expected to Attend Day of Confirmands This Month

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization briefed journalists today on two upcoming events for the Year of Faith during a press conference held today at the Holy See Press Office. Also present was Bishop Jose Octavio Ruiz, the secretary of the same dicastery.

The two events set to take place are the Day of Confirmands which will take place from April 27-28th and the Day of Confraternities and Popular Piety from May 3-5)

During the press conference, Archbishop Fisichella stated that both events will take place in Rome with the Holy Father, and will highlight a pilgrimage to the tomb of Peter. For this reason, he said, “the day before, the participants will take part in a symbolic procession from the obelisk in St. Peter's Square to the tomb of the Apostle where they will pray the Creed.”

“Along the way there will be a brief catechesis to recall the significance of the places that we find ourselves at and their historic meaning for the faith.”

The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization stated that the first event, the Day of Confirmands will be dedicated to those who have or have yet to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. As of now, over 70,000 youth, who will be accompanied by their catechists and priests, have signed on to join the event.

Commenting on the large number expected to attend, Archbishop Fisichella stated that their presence ”shows the enthusiasm with which they have joined in the initiative and the great turn-out that we should expect.”

The event will culminate with a Mass where Pope Francis will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation to 44 youth from around the world. The confirmands’ ages will range from 11-55.

Regarding the day of Confraternities and Popular Piety, the archbishop confirmed that over 50,000 have signed for the May event. The Confraternities, a communique from the Holy See explained, “will give witness to the different local traditions that have resulted from a religiosity that has been expressed through the centuries with initiatives and works of art that have lasted to this day.”

The event will also conclude with a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.

“It will be a moment of faith that finds, in the simplicity of the expressions of popular piety, its most deep-rooted core in our people who live these signs uninterruptedly as a reminder of the faith of previous generations and as a tradition that should be witnessed to with courage and enthusiasm,” Archbishop Fisichella said.